Civic Builders is the nation’s leading nonprofit lender and developer, bringing high-quality education to under-resourced communities through the development of public charter schools. Since 2002, Civic has supported the growth of 80 schools nationwide educating more than 40,000 students annually. Civic offers school facility development services, access to low-cost capital, and strategic advisory services to public charter schools. Our portfolio represents $1.45 billion invested into economically distressed communities to ensure access to safe, positive, and student-centered learning environments.
About the Position:
As the Controller for FIF, you will oversee the accounting and cash management needs of the Facilities Investment Fund (“FIF”), a groundbreaking partnership with the Walton Family Foundation, bringing over $300 million in affordable loan capital to finance facilities for high-performing, under-resourced public charter schools and networks nationwide.
We are seeking a self-motivated and driven leader who has a passion for creating and improving accounting and financial systems and presentations that drive decision-making in an impact-driven environment. This individual’s work will lead the annual budget, annual audit, quarterly board reporting, quarterly source lender reporting, monthly stakeholder reporting, and monthly accounting entries & closes for the FIF product.
This role will serve as a key business partner for the Executive Vice President (EVP) of Financial Products & Services (“FP&S”), who oversees the FIF Originations, FIF Lending, and FIF Compliance teams. The role will have visibility to and engagement with capital providers, boards and other stakeholders.
Who You are:
You know how to make highly complex, quantitative information approachable for a broader audience. You are an extremely effective communicator that is able to tailor your communication style to match the needs of a wide variety of stakeholders.
Collecting, aggregating and analyzing data is second-nature to you. You enjoy spotting trends as they emerge and identifying errors or potential problems while they are actionable.
You are a flexible leader who can operate at a highly strategic level but can also perform tactical duties in support of your team.
You care about the impact of your work and understand how your efforts impact the broader team, organization and industry we operate within.
Work Environment, Compensation and Benefits:
Civic is located in New York City and has a hybrid, collaborative work environment. Local team members, and the Controller, work at least two days in our NYC office with telework the rest of the week.
The salary range for this role is $145,000-160,000, commensurate with experience.
We want you to be well and thrive. Our excellent benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, up to 4% employer match 401(k), and generous PTO.
Additional benefits and perks include flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA), short-term & long-term disability insurances, group term life insurance, commuter benefits program, 12 weeks paid parental/family leave, cell phone plan reimbursement and equipment replacement, professional development reimbursement, home office setup, and social and educational outings.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Racial Justice:
Civic Builders believes that diversity, in all its forms, enriches society and our organization. Because we support students in the highest-need neighborhoods, we have a particular charge to understand our schools and their communities. When our staff, board, and partners reflect, value and embrace the voices and perspectives of those most impacted by what we do, we have a deeper understanding and connection to their needs and more effectively achieve our aspiration of improving lives, revitalizing communities, and helping children receive the education they deserve.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer:
Civic Builders is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Civic Builders provides employees with a safe and welcoming environment free of discrimination and harassment.
As an equal opportunity employer, we prohibit any unlawful discrimination against a job applicant on the basis of their race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, family or parental status, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.
To Apply:
Join our dynamic team and make a significant impact by contributing to the growth and success of charter school facilities. We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package.
We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the job description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.
To apply:
Responsibilities:
Financial Planning & Analysis:
Undertake monthly & quarterly financial updates - including revised financial forecasts - reviewing and socializing them with internal and external teams and completing all related stakeholder reporting requirements.
Design and roll out improved reporting templates for internal and external stakeholders in partnership with the EVP of FP&S.
Optimize financial modeling, reporting, and analysis to provide leadership with access to data and information that helps them make timely decisions.
Support the evaluation and review of market opportunities and partnerships, assessing potential financial impact and opportunity.
Conduct ad hoc financial analysis.
Partner with the EVP of FP&S to develop tools to support greater ownership and accountability for project- and team-level financial performance.
Financial Reporting:
Draft financial reporting packages, including but not limited to unaudited monthly financials, unaudited quarterly financials, annual audits & tax returns, and financial covenant compliance certificates
Coordinate with other members of the Operations team to verify the accuracy of the financial reporting information prepared
Review submission packages with the EVP of FP&S prior to submission to various capital providers
Update and improve compliance systems to monitor all reporting requirements
Provide feedback on reporting requirements when new requirements are being established or when the opportunity to amend existing requirements arises
Treasury / Cash Management:
Coordinate draws on grants, program-related investments and loans or other sources of capital to support operating and lending requirements.
Manage principal and interest payments from borrowers, including the payoff process at maturity or early prepayment.
Assume responsibilities for planning, executing and monitoring interest rate swaps to manage variable interest rate exposure on certain debt instruments in partnership with the FP&S team.
Post daily accounting entries in Quickbooks ledgers including loans payable, loans receivable, interest income, interest expense, journal entries, and bank account reconciliations.
Develop and oversee cash management strategies and policies to ensure compliance with funder requirements, availability to meet expected liquidity needs, align with organizational risk tolerance and maximize income-earning potential.
Monitor and propose strategies for utilizing cash on hand creatively to improve financial outcomes and reduce reliance on grant and program-related investment funding.
Annual Budgeting & Maintenance:
Assume responsibility for annual budget process, improving and implementing processes, tools and systems to elevate and standardize the work in close partnership with the EVP of FP&S and the Operations Team.
Review and monitor budget and changes throughout the year.
Prepare and manage budgets for specific operating grants or program-related investments as required by capital providers.
Responsible for ensuring that loan payable & loan receivable transactions are properly recorded. Properly record repayments, loan loss reserves, loan fees, and interest accruals.
Responsible for tracking program-related Investments and record repayments, reserves, write-offs.
Lead the month-end close process. Perform detailed monthly review of financial statements for assigned budget centers and prepare management reports
Lead the annual audit & tax return preparation and publication process with external auditors.
Qualifications:
10+ years of accounting experience with financial modeling, swap hedge instruments, stakeholder reporting, financial planning, and external annual audit management.
3+ years of supervisory experience managing direct reports, team and/or business function.
Bachelor's Degree is required. CPA, CMA, related Master’s degree or MBA a plus.
Advanced user of Microsoft Office suite such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Proficient in Quickbooks software.
Able to work independently and within a cross-functional team.
Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and projections.
Capable of prioritizing and managing competing requirements and deadlines in a dynamic working environment, able to deliver on a timely basis and be resilient under pressure and/or deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, and presentation skills.
Strong interpersonal skills to engage with others and build support for positive change
Team-oriented by nature, with a collaborative, inclusive, and hands-on leadership style
Timely execution of accurate reporting requirements.
Ability to multitask with a strong attention to detail.
Detail-oriented individual who is organized, possesses excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and delivers on tight deadlines.
Experience establishing and adhering to risk and control frameworks and developing operational processes to ensure accurate financial records and reporting, as well as developing a treasury framework supported by robust operational and finance controls
Ability to demonstrate an innovative mind-set and can develop implemental ideas which have a positive impact on the business.
Passion about CB’s mission to support high-quality education options for under-resourced communities.
Civic Builders is the nation's leading nonprofit developer and lender supporting the creation and growth of high-quality public charter schools. Our team removes real estate as a barrier to an excellent public education. Across the country, these schools empower students within and beyond the classroom, and revitalize communities from one generation to the next.
